Pres.—How affecting! Many of them must be orphans. I was once an orphan.
Root (aside)—His levity fatigues. (To the President) Among the Japanese there are no orphans: those of them that have lost their parents have an official father in the Minister of War.
Pres.—What’s that?
Root—Their actual guardian is the ranking admiral of the navy.
Pres.—The devil!
Root—No; Togo.
Pres.—This is a mighty serious matter, as I said. Go at once to the Japanese Minister and disavow everything. [Exit Secretary Root, smiling aside.] Metcalf, tell Loeb to prepare apologies for Japan, for publication in the newspapers. Take the first train to California, and——
[Exit Secretary Metcalf. Enter Secretary Bonaparte, breathless.]
Bonaparte—Mr. President, the J-J—the Mapanese Jinister is in the offing with all his s-suite! He is sailing up the gravel walk this very m-minute! For heaven’s sake, go to the window and show your teeth.
[Exit Secretary Bonaparte, running. Tumult within: “Banzai! Banzai!”]